M.Ed. in Kinesiology—Exercise Physiology

The master's degree in Exercise Physiology is a two-year program of study (typically one year for UVa undergraduates who complete the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology). There are currently three options for study in Exercise Physiology at the Master’s degree level:
1. A Master’s degree specialization which prepares students for advanced graduate study in Exercise Physiology, Physical Activity Intervention, Exercise Science and potential academic/research careers;
2. A Master’s degree specialization which prepares students for clinically - oriented careers in fitness/exercise and health promotion, physical activity intervention, cardiac rehabilitation, or strength training and conditioning
3. A Master’s degree specialization which allows students to combine options 1 and 2.

Program Life

Exercise scientists study the effects of exercise/physical activity on health, disease, and sport performance. They focus on the prescription of exercise and promotion of physical activity for healthy individuals, athletes, and/or clinical populations. The field of exercise physiology thus overlaps considerably with public health, epidemiology, nutrition, medicine, and athletics.

Our students take courses in metabolism, physiology, epidemiology, and disease prevention. They learn to critique research as well as conduct it. They learn to administer exercise tests, read electrocardiograms, and counsel patients about lifestyle. They gain the knowledge and skills to work with healthy adults, athletes, clinical populations, and children.

Career opportunities exist in health and fitness centers, sports programs, hospitals and other clinical settings, academic institutions, research laboratories, rehabilitation facilities, and public health agencies.

Students who graduate from this area of study will have:

A thorough knowledge of exercise and physiology with an emphasis on metabolism and cardio-respiratory function,

An ability to provide competent leadership for exercise classes involving health and high risk patients,

A thorough knowledge of, and practical experience, in procedures for exercise testing,

An ability to analyze and interpret basic data obtained during exercise tests, and

A working knowledge of research design, research methods, and basic statistics.

This course of study can lead to employment in community, corporate, and university exercise programs, or cardiac rehabilitation, advanced study and research in the field of applied exercise physiology.

·Students who have already obtained an undergraduate degree. The program is typically completed in 4 semesters.

·UVA students currently in the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology program who choose to focus their course work and practical experience in Exercise Physiology can complete the master’s degree in one additional year. These students must be in good academic standing. Students should declare their interest in the master’s in Exercise Physiology by the end of their third year, since this determines the electives they take, and allows them to begin graduate course work in their 4th year at UVA.

Admissions Requirements
Students must meet the admission standards outlined in the Curry School of Education Admission Policies, which include a high standard of achievement during their undergraduate work (minimum of 3.0 GPA) and 2 outstanding recommendations. Note that recommendations should be solicited through the online application. Students are also required to submit one of the following:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores that are no more than 5 years old. GRE scores for MEd, MT, EdS students admitted for the 2014-15 academic year were at or above the 150 (verbal), 145 (quantitative), and 4.0 (analytical writing).

For applicants enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at UVA at the time of submission: SAT or ACT scores may be substituted for the GRE score. Applicants who had SAT or ACT scores sent to the university previously do not need to have them re-sent.

Applicants may submit unofficial test scores and transcripts with their application. However, official transcripts showing degree conferral and official test scores are required prior to matriculation.

To complete the M.Ed. in Kinesiology--Exercise Physiology, students must complete a minimum of 36 credits (beyond their undergraduate degree). UVA students who complete the B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology with more than 120 hours can count up to 6 approved graduate credits toward the M.Ed. degree. Required courses and suggested electives are described below in "course of study."

In addition to the 36 credits, students must also either complete a master’s thesis under the direction of Arthur Weltman OR pass a comprehensive examination. Students who are not doing a thesis are expected to participate in additional practicum experiences beyond the EDHS 7431/7432 series.

Students may apply for federal financial aid, including work-study. Information about federal aid programs, including applying using the FAFSA, can be found through Student Financial Services. Additional financial aid information can be found on Curry's Financial Aid webpage.

UVA students completing the 4 + 1 (undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, M.Ed in Exercise Physiology) have ongoing admission to the master’s program. Typically, they begin taking graduate level courses in the fall semester of their fourth year, as approved by Arthur Weltman. Graduate students entering from other institutions begin the master’s program in August (fall semester).

Full or Part Time:

Full Time. The MEd program can be completed on a part time basis with the permission of the Exercise Physiology Faculty

Worksite/community based wellness and health promotion, hospital based fitness and cardiac rehabilitation programs, clinical research, personal training, strength and conditioning, physical activity/health promotion in local or county health departments, university fitness programs.

The M.Ed in Kinesiology--Exercise Physiology can prepare graduates for admission to PhD, MD, PA, or RD programs.

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php